4 Ways to Improve Your Mood with Flowing Water

Moving water has long been utilized in the principles of Fung Shui, and for good reason. Not only is it said to be spiritually empowering and soothing, but science has actually shown that the negative ions released by moving water can help with those experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. The sound, the sight, and the science all agree that moving water is a major benefit to mental and emotional health. However, outside of drinking, bathing and cooking, most people don’t have much moving water about the house. Whether functional or purely decorative, there are a surprising number of options available to those who want to implement moving water into their home lives. Here are just four ways that anyone can bring the benefits of flowing water into their home.

Outdoor Fountain

If you have the luxury of your own yard, an outdoor fountain is a fantastic way to bring moving water to your home. Whether you want to install a full-sized koi pond with a small waterfall flowing in, or your budget constrains you to a more modest, small statue fountain in the corner of your patio, there are many options out there that can allow you to have sustainably flowing water accessible whenever you need to take a mental break.

Indoor Water Fountains

If you don’t have your own yard, or don’t want the maintenance of a fountain exposed to the elements, then there are plenty of table or desktop fountains that anyone can afford. These have their own, tiny water pumps that circulate the water you put in through a falling water fountain, just like their larger versions, and easily fit on the corner of your desk or up on a shelf, making flowing water easily accessible and economically sustainable. If you have a larger budget and really want to go big, you can even get indoor waterfalls installed that can be installed into your wall. Either way, there are designs and pricing out there that can fit the lifestyle requirements of anyone.

Rain Chains

If you don’t want to have to deal with cleaning out a fountain or worrying about filling it, a rain chain is a functional, easy way to get gorgeous flowing water whenever it rains. Taking the place of the traditional rain spout, a rain chain allows water to flow smoothly from the gutter on your roof, down a series of decorative shapes, and trickle safely to the ground below. Putting this by the patio will give you all of the beauty and flow of a fountain every time it rains, but without all of the maintenance. Cooper rain chains, in particular, are very low maintenance due to their natural anti-bacterial properties. Rain chains in general are easy to install, easier to maintain than even a regular rain gutter, and make it easier to enjoy the natural flow of rainwater.

Fish Tanks

If you want to add some life to your flowing water, a fish tank of any size can easily carry flowing water. Fish need oxygen just like we do, though their gills filter it out of the water. Fish bowls and tanks, however, quickly run out of oxygen if the water inside isn’t exposed to the air. Getting bubblers or any other water oxygenators for your fish tank is already a must for the health of the fish, so getting a fish tank of any size will provide you with flowing, releasing the same amount of negative ions into the air that give that mood-lifting effect as any fountain. Having a living animal in the house also has been shown to help with depressive symptoms, so between the flowing water and the fish itself, getting a fish tank will do a lot for your mood.

While flowing water is no replacement for professional help in severe cases of depression and anxiety, it can help with the day-to-day stress that everyone faces. Flowing water can also work as a partner therapy to professional help, making treatments even more effective and bringing a greater sense of stability and balance to your life. If you’re looking for a daily source of peace and emotional lift, consider incorporating flowing water into your home décor.

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.